As students, the cast sing a protest song and toyi-toyi on the spot, miming carrying guns.

Lenj’ uBotha isiqhel’ amasimba ngokubulalisa

Isizwe sethu

Sizozibulala ezi zinja

The three actors change back into their main characters.

MAMBHELE [speaking over the song]: Why must they come this way? Why didn't they take the other way?

MAMPOMPO: I told you a long time ago that these children are troublemakers; these songs mean trouble.

SDUDLA: It is not the songs that cause the trouble but the Casspirs.

MAMPOMPO: I can't go to my place in Crossroads and I can’t leave these chickens here. I’m afraid of dying.

MAMBHELE: What do these children want? Maybe they are going to the dead comrade's place to say a prayer.

MAMPOMPO: They were asked not to be there; they are just looking for trouble.

SDUDLA: Mampompo, you must choose which side you are on. Our children are not frightened, they criss-cross the streets from yard to yard. They are not frightened by these police. If they run they are shot; if they walk they are arrested.

MAMBHELE: Let me try and do something before these children come here. I can't lose my chickens …

MAMPOMPO: Hey, Mambhele! The children have stopped singing.

MAMBHELE: It is right on top of us.

MAMPOMPO: The plague bird is making a big wind around us and everything is moving around.

They huddle together.

SDUDLA: It has been circling over us all day waiting to snatch its prey. We see you and we are not frightened.

MAMBHELE: It won't go away until the Casspir has gone.

MAMPOMPO: Nkosi yam, it's moving away. Now maybe the children are going to another place. I’m running away now.

SDUDLA: Mampompo, if you don't stay you will find yourself carrying stones as if you never bore children.

MAMPOMPO: My children are not here, they are all in Transkei.

MAMBHELE: You are selfish.

SDUDLA: These are all our children. Can't you see we are living the lives of chickens waiting to be killed?

MAMPOMPO [turning upstage]: The Casspirs are around us. I can't go anywhere.

MAMBHELE: They are blocking off the road. They won't let the students go through.

MAMPOMPO: The children are starting to sing again.

MAMBHELE: The soldiers are giving them five minutes to disperse.